Composer

:

Johannes Eccard

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

4:02

Johannes Eccard was a German composer of the late Renaissance period, known for his sacred vocal music. One of his most famous works is "Zacharias war ganz verstummt," a motet for five voices. The piece was composed in the early 17th century, likely around 1600. It was first performed in the court of Elector Christian II of Saxony, where Eccard was employed as a court musician. "Zacharias war ganz verstummt" is divided into three movements, each of which sets a different biblical text. The first movement is based on Luke 1:20, in which the angel Gabriel silences Zacharias for doubting the news of his wife Elizabeth's pregnancy. The second movement sets Luke 1:68-70, the prophecy of Zacharias about the coming of the Messiah. The final movement is a setting of the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise from Luke 1:46-55. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies and expressive use of dissonance. Eccard employs a variety of textures, from homophonic to imitative, to convey the meaning of the text. The use of chromaticism and unexpected harmonic shifts adds to the emotional intensity of the music. Overall, "Zacharias war ganz verstummt" is a powerful example of Eccard's skill as a composer of sacred music. Its expressive qualities and masterful use of harmony make it a beloved work of the Renaissance repertoire.

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